Shloka 16
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
क्षत्रिये संगतं नास्ति न प्रीतिर्न च सौहदम् । कारणात् सान्त्वयन्त्येते कृतार्था: संत्यजन्ति च
kṣatriye saṅgataṃ nāsti na prītir na ca sauhṛdam | kāraṇāt sāntvayante te kṛtārthāḥ saṃtyajanti ca ||
Bhishma dit : «Chez un kṣatriya, il n’y a pas de constance à maintenir la compagnie ; il n’y a ni affection véritable ni bonne volonté sincère. Ils consolent autrui pour quelque motif ou avantage, et lorsque leur dessein est accompli, ils abandonnent celui qui dépend d’eux.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma warns that relationships in political and warrior spheres can be driven by expediency rather than genuine affection; one should recognize motive-based consolation and be cautious about dependence on power-holders.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and statecraft; here he offers a sharp observation about kṣatriya conduct—how alliances and kindness may be strategic and may end once the objective is fulfilled.